Lakenheath Old Boys

We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Soccer Sunday

The clocks went back in Britain last night, which gave us an extra hour to get ready for the big one - Chelsea vs. Liverpool. Chelsea haven't lost at the Bridge for yonks, but it would really open up the Premiership for Liverpool to choose today to turn them over.

It all starts at 9:30 EST, followed by Arsenal vs. West Ham on FSC.

136 Comments:

Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Here are the teams for today:

Liverpool team: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera, Keane. Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Benayoun, Pennant, Babel, Leiva Lucas.

Chelsea team: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Kalou, Deco, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka. Subs: Cudicini, Ivanovic, Di Santo, Sinclair, Ferreira, Alex, Belletti.

9:18 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Injuries for both sides. No Xavi Alonso or Fernando Torres for Liverpool. No Essien, Ballack or Drogba for Chelski.

9:21 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Both sides start with only one out and out striker - Robbie Keane for Pool and Anelka for Chelski.

9:32 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

And we're off - come on you reds!

9:37 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Deco with the first half chance. The ball bobbled out from a challenge on Anelka and his shot was charged down.

9:38 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Liverpool get the perfect start. Chelski were sloppy defending a throw deep in their half and when the ball came out to Xavi, his left foot shot deflected off JT into the back of the net.

1-0 Liverpool!

9:46 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Now Chelski look uncharacteristically nervy at the back. Half chance for Keane there.

9:49 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

That goal has really opened things up nicely, Lamps playing Kalou through there for a decent chance, well saved by Reina.

9:49 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Liverpool have another decent but Riera wasted the chance by firing into the side netting from an acute angle while Keane was waiting for a ball across the goal.

9:52 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Gerrard lines up a piledriver and it's just tipped over by Cech.

9:59 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

A bit more sustained pressure now from the Blues.

10:09 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Deco hits a screamer at the end of a long diagonal run that's just a bit wide.

10:11 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

David Pleat has just made a reasonably intelligent comment that the Chelski bench doesn't have any game changers.

10:16 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Half-time: 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool go in feeling pretty good about their situation. They could probably sit on this lead a bit in the second half before having to change things.

10:21 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The sides are back on for the second half. My 1-1 prediction is looking tantalizingly good right now. I could definitely see Chelski pinching a goal and both sides settling for a draw.

10:39 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

This could be interesting. The youngsters Di Santo and Ivanovich are warming up for Chelski.

10:42 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Maloudi is flattened by Reina; fortunately for the Pool keeper, the flag had already been raised on the French winger.

10:47 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Yes, here we're going to get a look at Chelski's young Argentinian striker Franco Di Santo.

10:49 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Kuyt tries his luck from distance but it's a wild drive.

10:50 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Belletti is also coming on for Malouda. That's a strange move for Scolari given that his team needs goals.

10:50 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Robbie Keane's coming off for Ryan Babbel. Keano's still not fitting in in the Liverpool red to my mind.

10:52 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Half an hour left in this one. Liverpool have a chance from a free kick here...

Alonso takes and hits the foot of the post! Cech didn't even move there.

10:53 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Good stuff from Howard Webb. Cashley is already on a yellow and Mascherano was advocating for a second one there. I love it that refs are starting to book players for that nonsense. Cashley's on thin ice, mind you.

10:58 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

As Chelski press, they're leaving huge gaps at the back that might be exploited by Babbel.

11:00 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Three other matches are starting up now:

Citeh vs. Stoke
Spurs vs. Bolton
Wigan vs. Villa

11:01 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Twenty minutes left for Chelski to dig this one out.

11:04 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Cashley with a big chance there. Lamps chipped one in, Di Santo nodded down brilliantly but Cashley just couldn't adjust his run to ram a left-footed shot in.

11:05 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Di Santo's certainly proving himself as a useful target man. He's really slight but he's got tremendous spring.

11:08 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Bit of handbags there between Reina and JT. Howard Webb is doing a fine job calming things down.

11:08 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Still 0-0 in those matches that started at 11 a.m.

11:12 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Pool are doing a nice job defending from the front. They're ten minutes away from breaking that huge record. And what a difference that would make to the Premiership table with Liverpool jumping out to 23 points.

11:14 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

One last roll of the dice for Big Phil. Bosingwa off and Scott Sinclair is on. He's a bit of a speed merchant but that doesn't seem to suit this game.

11:17 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Dirk Kuyt is finally coming off and working his socks off.

11:20 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Sami Hyppia is coming on to shore things up for the last few key moments.

11:22 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

A rousing chorus of You'll Never Walk Alone now from the away support. They'll start to dream about another championship. They're now eight points ahead of United, although the Red Devils have a game against Fulham in hand.

11:25 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Full-time: Chelski 0 Liverpool 1

Chelski's first home defeat since 2004 and it blows the lid off the league table.

11:25 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I lost ten points on the early match but I'm doing pretty well in the others.

Citeh, Villa and most amazingly, Spurs are all 1-0 up their matches.

11:57 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The Arse-Hammers match is coming up on FSC. Just about to kick off....

12:03 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Robinho on the scoresheet again for Citeh this morning and it's good to see Roman Pavlyuchenko off the mark for Spurs.

12:05 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

I am here from our game. We lost 3-2 with the VERY LAST kick of the game. I scored and had an assist but we played horribly.

I think it is a good result this morning. I don't want Costa Del Pool to win the league by any means but I think they will blow more games than the Blues.
Glad the undefeated record has gone.

What about 'Appy ' Arry going to Spurs?

12:08 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Looked like a good shout for a penalty there as Upson and RVP came together but no claim from the Arsenal players.

12:08 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Goal at Citeh and it goes to Citeh

12:09 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Welcome, Dave! Sorry about your match. That's your first loss, right?

12:11 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Robinho scores again

12:11 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Another goal for Robinho - he's on a tear.

12:11 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Correct... LAST BLOODY KICK

12:11 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I think Redknapp's a good choice for Spurs right now. He'll shore up things. I don't expect them to be relegated. They're far too good for that but Juande had lost the dressing room.

I've predicted 1-0 for them today and so far, so good there.

12:13 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Nice save by Almunia.. Duck soup really

12:14 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Why is Adebayor on the bench?

12:14 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Why Bendtner rather than Adebayor? Are they resting him for midweek?

12:14 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Snap!

12:15 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Villa score a second goal - Agbonlahor.

12:16 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Stevie Bruce has a nasty gash under his right eye? Looks like he was in a bar fight. It's all stitched up Frankenstein-like.

12:17 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Belamy trying a shot from NEWCASTLE!

12:17 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Not much of a pattern to this match so far. Zola promised flowing football today but we haven't seen muuch.

12:18 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Robbie Earle thinks there are no natural wingers on the pitch. Ahem...Theo Walcott, anyone?

12:19 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

A third goal for Villa! Ag crossed well for big John Carew to nod home easily. That's my prediction 3-0. Thirty points, taverymuch.

12:21 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Looks like Stevie B. will need to soak his head in another gin joint tonight after this drubbing. Wigan are useless.

12:22 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh, great run by Theo and a shot that I thought hit the bar but the commentator thinks Green saved. Maybe a bit of both.

12:24 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Villa three nil, what has happened. I just turned on the link. It is the only game available

12:24 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Arsenal are starting to turn the screw and you feel a goal coming from them soon.

12:25 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

You were right, goalkick

12:25 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Bolton down to ten men. McCann off for a second yellow

12:26 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Great safe by Brad at Wigan

12:26 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Zola's gone with three forwards but they're defending so deep that you're got Di Michaeli and Cole clearing the lines rather than leading any sort of counter-attack. That leaves the increasingly petulant Craig Bellamy stranded.

12:26 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Yeah, it was. He's still one of the best in the Premiership.

12:27 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Was that a handball? I think it was!!!

12:27 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

HANDBALL

12:27 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh, Rob Green was a mile outside the box there when he touched it.

12:28 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Great move and save there by Green from Walcott.

12:30 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Wigan are getting close. Another great save by Brad
Also by Robert "handball" Green

12:30 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Arsenal never have someone running into the crucial area at set pieces. That was a brilliant corner in by RVP but no one was in the six yard box!

12:31 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

United are down to sixth. If Pompey win later on, it will 7th

12:31 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Bellamy one on one. Good save

12:33 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Fantastic save there by Almunia, England's next #1, from Bellamy. That's probably the best chance the Hammers will have today.

12:33 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Well, you lot can count on three points from Fulham, but that still puts you five points off the top. I'm with you - I don't think that Liverpool have the strength to go the distance but it'll be a more exciting run in than usual.

12:34 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

I really don't want Almunia to play for England. Do you? I never liked a foreign manager and now the same with a player. I don't care about it being legal, I don't like it. Your thoughts?

12:35 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Spurs now 2-0 up through a penalty from Bent. Surely this'll be their first win of the season. They'll still be bottom, though.

12:35 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Bent scores Spurs second. The APPY ARRY era has begun

12:36 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Yeah, I'd take Almunia in a heartbeat. We need a world class goalkeeper if England is going to go beyond the quarter-finals in 2010. Who would you rather have in goal for penalties against Portugal in the quarters - Almunia or Rob Green?

12:37 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

HE IS SPANISH!!!!!

12:37 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Robinho completes his hat-trick. 3-0 Citeh! Wow! That's my prediction there too. Thirty points!

12:38 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Ronhino with his hat-trick

12:38 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

He could be Martian for all I care.

12:38 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Fingers crossed

12:38 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Eboue should have had a pop there. It may not be the Arsenal way but that's why it's still 0-0 and Arsenal are fourth rather than first. Xavi Alonso had a go from a similar position this morning and it cannoned off JT and into the goal for the winner.

12:41 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

useless counter attack by the Hammers

12:43 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I'll remind you that in the WC 2006 quarter final penalty shoot-out with Portugal, Paul Robinson never came close to any of the five Portuguese penalties while their keeper Ricardo not only saved two but scored the bloody winner! Goalkeepers matter.

12:44 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Bellamy' s shot this time was only from Leeds

12:45 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Bellamy needs to wind down his clock a bit. He's been shooting every time he touches the ball no matter where he is on the pitch and he's hitting the corner flag every time.

12:45 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

I know, but he is SPANISH!!!

12:45 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

You mean that his shot ended up in Leeds!

12:46 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

As Gerry Harrison would say on Match of the Week.

HIGH, WIDE and HORRIBLE

12:46 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

No, he shot it from Leeds. He was so far out

12:47 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Sidwell scores Villa's fourth

12:48 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Half time at Upton Park. All square

12:50 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Villa win 4-0
NEWS FLASH
SPURS WIN, SPURS WIN!!
Citeh is over too

12:54 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The commentators are hyping that first half but I didn't see it as anything but an ordinary half of Premiership footie. It's not like there were five goals and two red cards or summit.

1:01 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Brilliant - I get mucho points off all three of those early ones. I've got Arsenal 2-1 in this one. We'll see.

1:02 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

The Saints and Chargers have started at Wembley. THEY BETTER NOT CUT IT ALL UP!!!

1:09 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Why on earth are they playing at Wembley? Is there nothing sacred these days?

1:11 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

$$$$$$$$$$$$$

1:13 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

What do you think - is it strange to see Silvestre in an Arsenal shirt for you?

1:16 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Who is managing Pompey today? Adams?

1:16 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Yes

1:17 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Shocking. Everything's for sale.

1:17 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh dear, Arsenal's sick note RVP has gone down in a heap.

1:17 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Robbie Earle has never seen a foul that he'd call. You'd think that he was a member of the Defender's Union or something!

1:18 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Now that's odd - seeing Tony Adams on the Pompey bench. How much damage did Arsene have to do to scare him away from Highbury?

1:19 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

I have to go soon to a Halloween party but I have the Pompey link going.
Is Defoe going follow 'Arry and go back to Spurs?

1:20 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Song edges Bellamy off the ball and somehow picks up a yellow card for that. A bit harsh.

1:20 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Adams definitely won't follow to Spurs

1:20 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

They could use him. Why is anyone having a Halloween party today? It's on bloody Friday, isn't it?

1:21 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Great pace by Bellamy but useless layoff

1:22 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

How many times is Redknapp going to bail out on Portsmouth, though?

1:22 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

It was supposed to be yesterday but got rained out

1:22 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Scottie Parker has spent more time on the turf today than the groundskeeper!

1:24 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

I think Pompey sold him... they needed the money

1:24 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Why not have it in July then?

1:25 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I don't like the Hammers' kits since they lost their sponsorship. They look like rounders pinnies with the huge numbers on the front. Why not just have a plain shirt?

1:26 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Abu Diaby coming on. Adebayor too. It's the Champions League heroes. What's Arsene been waiting for?

1:27 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

I have to leave. Have a good rest of the weekend.
Two things to leave you with

PLAY UP POMPEY and
UP WITH THE HAMMERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1:28 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

At least Arsenal are starting to let fly with some shots. Banjo Boy off the line there.

1:28 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Cheers, mate! Have a good Night Before Night Before Night Before Night Before Night Before All Saint's Day party!

1:29 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Even Arsenal have resorted to the long throw routine now.

Great save from Rob Green from RVP!

1:32 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh, what a free kick from Van Persie! Struck it off the post with Rob Green clean beaten.

1:34 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Finally Arsenal break the deadlock. It was messy in the end but the build-up was mesmerizing. Adebayor struck a probing shot and it was deflected in by Faubert for an own goal.

West 0 Arsenal 1 Sorry Trev!

1:36 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Zola's rolling the dice bringing on Boa Morte for a last charge. Fifteen minutes left now.

1:39 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Adebayor nearly adds a second there. Another great save from Green and then he lifted the rebound over.

1:41 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Coming down to the last five minutes here at Upton Park.

1:47 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Hammers are bringing on a kid who looks about twelve to replace Bowyer.

1:50 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Still a chance for the Hammers to wing another corner in here. The Gunners need to be careful.

1:51 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

2-0! Adebayor is the outlet after the Hammers push up at the corner. Bendtner finds him beautifully. He skips past Green and side foots in. Quality finish.

1:52 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Wow! Carlton Cole has been sent off right at the death. I didn't see anything that extraordinary there. He did lunge in but I'd have given yellow. Straight red and he's off!

1:54 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

And Zola's looks could kill on the bench. Real daggers going out to Phil Dowd from the Italian.

1:55 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

I saw Cole yelling at Dowd about 90 seconds earlier about a throw-in given Arsenal's way that he was disputing. I think that Dowd had told Cole to calm down. The throw-in was taken, the ball pinged around and then the next incident in the game was Cole's reckless challenge. Dowd probably saved him a yellow at the expense of a red. It was a very silly thing to do, both the tackle and the red card, tbf.

That was the most unsettling 2-0 win I've paced through in weeks. Nasri and Eboue were anonymous, RVP and Theo were cameo pieces only, and it wasn't until Adebayor came on that it really seemed to tilt our way.

Song was a monster all over the pitch and but for Adebayor's turning the game, was my man of the match. And though he had a frightening moment or two, Gallas did well. And Almunia was again super.

It's not like us to take advantage of a stumble by rivals. Thank goodness we did.

2:09 PM  

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